Gym ab workouts for beginners

Bodybuilding Workouts For Beginners:

For those keen on transforming into a bodybuilder, it is essential to familiarize yourself with bodybuilding workouts tailored for beginners. Researching the topic can be intimidating, as there are numerous articles and opinions available. 

Gym ab workouts for beginners

This piece simplifies the basics and serves as a starting point to help novice bodybuilders navigate information overload.

To optimize your gym performance and achieve success, it's essential to establish a firm foundation of tried-and-tested techniques and principles. This approach can help you witness noticeable results in a relatively short period. After grasping the fundamental principles, you can tweak them to meet your specific requirements and adjust your training regimen in response to your body's feedback. 

Here is a detailed manual to get you started:

  • Bodybuilding routines can be broadly classified into two types - full body and split. A full body routine requires working on all the major muscle groups in a single workout session, which is repeated 2-3 times a week. On the other hand, a split routine involves working on different muscle groups on different days. For instance, the chest, shoulders, and triceps could be targeted on day 1, legs and abs on day 2, and back and biceps on day 3. Choosing between the two types of routines is subjective, and there is no definitive answer. However, if you're new to weightlifting, I would recommend starting with a full-body routine for three months, thrice a week, before switching to a split routine.
  • Building a foundation for muscle growth involves recruiting as many muscle fibers as possible during a lift. For beginners, this process can take up to 90 days of training. Once your body is conditioned to recruit these fibers, your workouts will become more efficient leading to increased strength and growth. By establishing this foundation, you can set yourself up for solid muscle development.
  • To maximize your potential, it's essential to establish a routine before hitting the gym. Randomly selecting exercises on a whim will limit your progress and impede your ability to monitor and track results. To stay on track, keep a notebook with your workouts pre-planned and written out before heading to the gym.

  • One of the most frequent errors I observe in novice bodybuilding regimens is over-exertion. Rather than granting your muscles enough recovery time to mend and develop, overtraining keeps them in a perpetual state of disintegration. It's critical to recognize that muscles do not increase in size during workouts - they break down. The actual growth occurs when you allow for rest periods. If you're doing a full-body workout, take at least one day between sessions. For a split routine, rest for two days.
  • One common mistake that many novices make is to stick with the same exercises and routine for extended periods. This can cause your muscles to adapt to the stress you place on them. To bring about changes in your physique, increase your strength, and promote growth, you must challenge your muscles in new ways. Gradually increasing the resistance you use in your exercises can help, even if it's only a few pounds. Additionally, it is recommended to change your exercise regimen every six weeks, incorporating new or substitute exercises to ensure that your muscles are continuously challenged and encouraged to grow.

Are 30 minutes of ab workout enough?

The duration of a successful abdominal workout varies depending on several factors, such as your fitness level, objectives, and the exercises you choose. Nevertheless, for some individuals, a 30-minute workout may be enough, particularly when coupled with other full-body workouts.


It's advisable to incorporate core exercises in your weekly workout routine, ideally two to three times per week. Each session should last between 20-30 minutes, during which you can perform several exercises that focus on different core muscle groups like the rectus abdominis, obliques, and transverse abdominis.


It's worth mentioning that a successful ab workout is determined by not only the number of exercises but also the intensity and execution of the exercises. Merely repeating an exercise may not yield the same results as executing it with precision and control.


It's crucial to keep your ab muscles on their toes. One way to do this is by constantly switching up your workout routine. You can experiment by trying out different exercises, amping up the intensity or resistance, or perhaps even incorporating new equipment.


To sum up, a 30-minute ab workout can be efficient for certain people. However, it's necessary to concentrate on appropriate form and intensity, and also include diversity and gradual improvement over time to ensure continued progress.

Can beginners do abs workouts?

Absolutely, even those who are new to workout routines can engage in abs workouts. Nevertheless, beginners must prioritize basic exercises that concentrate on developing stability and strength in the core muscles before progressing to more challenging exercises.

Some good beginner ab exercises include:

  • Assume a push-up stance with forearms on the ground and elbows aligned beneath the shoulders. Maintain a straight body and hold the pose for as long as possible. This is known as the Plank exercise.

  • To execute bicycle crunches, assume a supine position with your hands interlocked behind your head and your knees flexed. Elevate your head, shoulders, and feet, then alternate touching your left elbow to your right knee and your right elbow to your left knee.

  • Begin Russian twists by sitting on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground. Lean back gently, raising your feet off the floor. Clasp a medicine ball or weight before your chest, then twist your torso to the right and left, alternating.

  • To perform the "Dead bug" exercise, lie flat on your back with your limbs raised towards the ceiling. Maintaining a level back, gradually lower your left leg and right arm towards the ground. Then, return to the initial position and repeat the same motion with your opposite arm and leg.

What should I hit at the gym for abs?

If you're looking to work on your abs at the gym, there are many exercises that can help you strengthen and tone your core muscles. Here are a few examples of exercises you may want to consider including in your gym routine for abs:

  • For an abdominal workout, try cable crunches with a cable machine. Start by attaching a rope to the high pulley of the machine and facing it while kneeling down. Once you have a grip on the rope, slowly bring your elbows down to your knees and engage your abs throughout the movement.
  • To perform hanging leg raises, begin by hanging from a pull-up bar with arms fully extended and legs held together. Next, lift your legs to form a 90-degree angle before gradually lowering them back to the starting position.
  • To perform medicine ball slams, begin by standing with your feet positioned shoulder-width apart. Hold a medicine ball above your head and with as much force as possible, hurl the ball to the ground.
  • Assume a kneeling position on the floor with an ab roller placed before you. Proceed to gradually roll the wheel forward while ensuring your core remains taut. Then, retract the wheel back to the initial position.
  • To perform decline sit-ups, secure your feet on a bench angled downwards. Cross your arms over your chest, then contract your abdominal muscles as you lift your torso towards your knees.

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